The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 523, 4 January 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1878.

It is ominous when one after another of the ornaments of the Civil Service are "resigning" their lucrative appointments. First on the list there is the Engineer-in-Chief, who, it is rumoured, threatens to retire into private life, in consequence of the unsatisfactory position which he occupies under the present Government, who have clipped his wings. The question, " What shall wc do without him 1 " we presume would be answered by the Ministry by the reply. " Save his salary ! " Very true ; but how about the numerous railway notifications of colonial importance which have hitherto been invested with dignity by the signature of Jon> CiKKVTUEHS, Engineer - inChief I What about ths trucks, that have hitherto been imported from English firms, but which will now be made in the Colony ? The business of these firms will sadly sutler thr.-ugh tho change, and although we may get better ones made hei'e, common durability will be but a poor recompense for the loss of prestige, etc., which must follow the adoption of such plebeian notions hh supporting native industry. The trade in Oregon pine, too, will decline, as we presume that the Government will probably substitute colonial timber for it in t!:e construction of our railways. Colonial timber may be more durable and cheaper, ai«l by using it we may keep money in the country ; but how about the saw-mill proprietors of the Pacific slopes, and the novelty of importing from America I Then there were some firms in London, we believe, who were in receipt of large orders for " stores." These could have been purchased in the country, almost, if not quite, as cheaply as in Great Britain : but there were reasons beneath the surface for the adoption of this system, which found favor in the eyes of the Engineer-in-Chief. Such acts of what the new Government would call reformation, but what should be designated niggardliness, are enough to drive a ssnsitive man from office. This is not all. Under the old dispensation it was, " Would Mr. Cuißi;THEi;s oblige by" doing this on the other, and even questions bearing upon the administration of the railway policy- were submitted for his approval by r Ministers, although he confesses that he is only an engineer. But now, Mr. Laiinauh, who has some little experience in business. which he 'hinks he can turn to good account as a Minister, brooks no interference with the functions of his office, and requires good reasons to be forthcoming for every action of even men like Mr. CiisEVTii EHre, A little obstinacy and insubordination may sometimes be the result of bringing the curb to bear upon pr.mpercd officials ; but the Colonial Treasurer evidently thinks that it must be accomplished, even at the risk of losing so useful a servant as Mr. Cakkutuer*. It is now our unpleasant duty to comment upon the "resignation " of Col. Gorton, Brander-iu-Chief, and of all the little brauders. As a public servant he might be classed with Mr. Carkuthers, inasmuch as he was in receipt of a good salary; bnt lie was indefatigable—so anxious to brand that nothing ever came amise. He was a terror to up-conntry Government officials, whose lives he rendered miserable by r his searching inquiries regarding Government property. When he was on the wing it was as though the Governor was coming, and all the rubbish bearing the impress of her Majesty's Government was aggregated. A table that did duty for several yeara, and of which there were only sundry pieces remaining, w:is hauled from darkness to light. If there happened not to be the three legs and a remnant of the top that were inspected during the previous visit, woe betide the unfortunate steward into whose keeping they had been given. But crockery battled him. A tale is told of how he attempted to affix his mark upon certain articles of crockeryware. The irons were heated to a white heat, and every effort was used, but without success. lie w'll be miised, ;md so will his assistants, more especially the gentleman from the North, whose active buzzing around and blue-veiled hat obtained for him the happy soubriquet of " the blue-tailed fly." Will they ever return to their former positions, una draw the salaries that for years enabled them to maintain the dignity of their offices i Alas ! We fear not. It is a hard fate ; but it all depends upon the restoration of the Atkinson- party, and that can never be.